After appearing as a mentor, a duet singer and a performer on the show, Robbie Williams has reignited his relationship with the X Factor.

The Rock DJ singer will reappear on the programme as guest mentor for this series. In newly-released photos in which he's seen brooding on a piano chair, Robbie helps out contestants such as James Arthur, Ella Henderson, Jahmene Douglas with their performances. He also lends a hand to his favourite, Rylan Clark, who he recently championed in his blog.

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Offering his support for the flamboyant star, the singer posted: "TEAM RYLAN ALL THE WAY VOTE RYLAN! X," which was not well received by X Factor judge and former bandmate Gary Barlow. Robbie's friend had previously declared that he was "embarrassed" to watch Rylan perform.

The judge also stormed off stage when Carolynne Poole was booted off in favour of the contestant. In the last live show, Dermot asked Gary what he thought of Robbie's support for Rylan.

The Take That star quipped: "Twenty years of knowing each other and it's all over in five letters."

Despite his return, Robbie has previously criticised the singing contest. Speaking to Short List, the Let Me Entertain You star spoke about his concerns that the competition was more about personality than talent.

The singer said: "Somebody will come on, do an audition, and sing their backside off. But because they can't project and they're boring they'll go nowhere."

Despite his reservations, he's set to perform on the contest to showcase his new single, Candy. Taking some time away from wife Ayda and baby daughter Teddy, the star recently made an eycatching performance of his latest record on Italian X Factor as he cavorted with a topless dancer. The musician is taking the single to the UK stage on Sunday, ready for its release on Monday.

Meanwhile, former duet partners One Direction have nothing but affection for Robbie after they performed She's The One together in the 2010 final.

Speaking to Nick Grimshaw on Radio 1 on Friday morning, the boys selected Robbie's single as the record they wanted to be played on the show. The Take That singer had previously told of how he was envious of the boy band's youth and vigour.